Nevada County picayune., 1887-08-18

a rickety table, a bed in the cor ner where the little ones were cud ding close to One another for warmth. Poor things! the air was 50 frosty that their breath con. gealed upon the bedclothes as they talked in soft, baby voices. "When mother comes she will bring us some supper" said they. But 1 am so cold, said the little outsider. "Get in the middle then, said the other two, and we'll warm you. Mother promised she'd make d fire when she came in if that man would pay her"
 "What a bad man he is, said the oldest boy; he never pays mother if he eau help it..
 Just then the door opened and pale, thin woman came in, laden with packages.
 She laid all down, and came tO her children's bed, clasping her hands in rapture.
 joy! joy, children, 0, joy, joy! Christ is coming. He will be here to morrow
 Every little bird in the nest was up, and the little arms around the mothers neck; the children believ. cI at once. They had heard of the good Jesus. He had been their mother's only friend through many cold and hungry day. and they doubted not He was coming.
 70, mother. will He take us! He will, won't IIe.'
 ''les my little ones, she said softly, smiling to herself; He shall gather the lambs with His arms, and carry them to his bOsom.'
 Suddenly as by the slide of q magic lantern. another scene was present.
 We stood in a lonely room. where d woman was sitting with her head bowed forward upon her hands. Alone, forsaken, slander- ed, she was in bitterness of spirit. Hard. cruel tongues had spoken her name with vile assertions, and a thouyhtless world had believed. There .,ad been a babble of accu. satiOn, a crowd to rejoice in iniq- uity, and few to pity. She thought herself alone, and she spoke: Judge me, 0 Lord, for 1 have walked in my integrity. l am monster unto many, but thou art my strong refuge.'
 In a moment the angel touched her. My sister, be of good cheer. Christ will be here to morrow
 She started up, with her hands claspet, her eyes bright, her whole form dllated, as she seemed to look into th" heavens, and said with raplurc:'
 Come, Lord and judge me, for thou knowest me altogether. Come Son of Man, in thee have trusted; let me never be consOunded. O! for the judgment seat of Christ.
 Again l stood in brilliant room full of luxuries. Three or four fair women were standing pen- sively talking with each other. Their apartment was bestrewm with .jewelry, laces, silks, and ev- cry fanciful elegance of fashion; but they looked troubled.
 ''This seems to me really awful, said one with supprt ssed sigh. What troubles me is know SD lit- tie about it."
 "Yes, said another, and it puts a stop to everything. Of what use will all these be to mOrrOw.'
 There was a poor seamstress in che corner of the room who now spoke. "We shall be ever wit h the LOrd," she said.
 "l'n sure ldon't know what that can mean. said the first speaker witI,a kind of shudder, it seems rather fearful"
 "Well," said the other, 1t seems 50 sudden-when one never dream, ed of such a thing 10 change all at once from this to that other life.'
 Ut is enough to be with him, said the poor woman. 70, l have so lOnged fOrit"
 ''The great gulf,' again said the angel!
 Then again we stood on inc steps ofa church. X band of clergymen were together, Epi scopallan, Meth. odist. Baptist, Presbyterian, Old School and New school, all stood hand in hand.
 ''ltS no matter now ahont these ,l.I ;rsune p thav sai1 1H. i . c,n